A Iredale, Bird Life on the Kevmadec Islands. [ist "July 



Land-birds are iQw in species, and only one (doubtful) 

 species is claimed as endemic to the Kermadec Islands. 



The Tui {Prosthemadera novce-zealandicB) is very abundant, 

 and, as it has practically no enemies, it must be increasing 

 rapidly. It differs in no way from the mainland bird, but has 

 lost its voice. To make up for this loss it endeavours to produce 

 musical sounds all the year round. Its peculiar attempts to sing 

 have been recorded by New Zealand writers, but they have 

 always credited it with producing as well striking and melodious 

 notes. Its clear bell-note is well known to all New Zealand 

 observers. This note was only heard on two occasions, whilst, 

 though I believe each bird honestly endeavoured to bring out 

 some striking notes, none ever succeeded. At the commence- 

 ment of the breeding season a pleasing little trill is developed to 

 round off its efforts, but this attainment only lasts about a month. 

 Another feature I have not previously seen noted was its night 

 singing. All the year round on moonlight nights odd birds 

 would be heard attempting to sing ; and as one bird apparently 

 fell asleep again another would carry on the tale. During the 

 winter months I noted they disliked the wet weather. When- 

 ever a shower broke they became silent, and as long as it con- 

 tinued the wood was hushed, save that now and then one broke 

 the silence by venturing a plaintive appeal against the rain. As 

 soon as it stopped, however, the bush was once more clamorous 

 with their grotesque attempts at song. Their inquisitiveness 

 was especially noticeable when travelling through the bush. 

 Upon a stoppage being made a bird would appear and closely 

 inspect the intruder ; another would fly up, and, having satisfied 

 itself, would retire, its place being taken by a new-comer. Some- 

 times as many as half a dozen would all silently criticise the 

 stranger, coming within a few feet to obtain a good view. The 

 breeding season was watched with interest, and, though probably 

 nothing new was noted, the results of different observers are 

 usually worth recording. The first bird was noted collecting 

 twigs on the 9th of September, and a full clutch of eggs noted 

 in this nest on the 27th. Some birds must have commenced 

 much earlier, as a young bird was seen out of the nest on the 

 loth of October. The time of incubation was ascertained to be 

 fourteen days, but the time of feathering was not obtained, owing 

 to our departure from the island. In the only easily accessible 

 nest the young were thirteen days old at that time. 



The nest was placed near the top of a poutukava sapling or 

 branch ; as these were never of much thickness, and often very 

 slight, it was not an easy matter to investigate the nests. Many 

 of them were 30 feet high and at the end of leaning branches, 

 so that less than half the nests seen were looked into. One 

 feature of interest in their nest-building operations was the 

 occurrence, in the early portion of the season, of empty nests. 



